The Rock and Oprah Winfrey donate $10 million for Hawaii relief efforts

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Oprah Winfrey took to social media to announce the People’s Fund of Maui initiative, which aims to provide direct funding to effected residents of Hawaii’s Lahaina and Kula regions following a series of deadly wildfires. To date, 115 lives have been lost as a result of the island disaster.

“We were so concerned about what was happening in Maui that we were texting back and forth, and I read this article that Dolly Parton had given money in her community, and I said, ‘I think this is the answer,’” Oprah explained in a short Instagram video with The Rock standing next to her. “And so we have created the People’s Fund of Maui that will put money directly in the hands of the people who need it right now. So if you send a donation… that money is going to go to one of many residents who have been displaced in Maui. We guarantee.” Video

The Rock also chimed in on their newly formed relief effort. “I know a lot of people out there, as Oprah and I have been finding, are just having a hard time trusting where the money goes. ‘What organization should I send money to? How can I help?’ he added. “The fund that we created with a lot of hard work from a lot of hard working people who all care about these people of Maui… With disasters like this, the No. 1 need is money in hand.”

The description attached to the announcement revealed that Oprah and The Rock are providing $10 million to kickstart the campaign. It also said that every adult resident who resided in the affected area and was displaced is eligible to receive $1200 per month during this period of recovery. All of those interested in contributing can head to the official website for the People’s Fund of Maui.

BY JON POWELL